title: Medical implications of ultrasonically detected polycystic ovaries.
abstract: Polycystic ovaries are usually manifest on an ultrasound study as symmetrically enlarged ovaries containing numerous tiny cysts. The cysts are difficult to detect with conventional contact B-scanners but are readily detected with high-resolution, real-time sector scanners. The cysts range in diameter form 2 to 6 mm and may be arranged in the periphery of an ovary or throughout the parenchyma. In patients with ultrasonically demonstrated polycystic ovaries (aged 15 to 35 years), there is a spectrum of clinical findings. Half the patients have most of the classic signs and symptoms (hirsutism, menstrual irregularity, and obesity) associated with Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Twenty-five percent have variants of the syndrome. In another 25%, no clinical abnormality is evident at the time of an ultrasound examination.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014463:Ultrasonography